He let go of Erik, who stumbled back.
“Now leave us,” Boaz said.
After Erik closed the door, Boaz moved to the side of my bed and pulled back the sheer curtains. I quickly shut my eyes and resisted an urge to swallow.
“You can’t fool me, love. I heard your heartbeat quicken moments ago.” He took my hand and gently caressed it.
The swallow I’d been trying to hold back came now. The loud gulp seemed to echo throughout the room. I didn’t dare open my eyes for fear of losing myself to him. At first hearing him speak, I’d felt the twisting of my stomach and a sharp pain in my heart. But what did it mean? He was the opposite of everything I believed in, yet the depth of his eyes, his velvet voice, and the way his touch ignited my skin, made me forget the evil that lay beneath his perfect exterior.
His fingers grazed the side of my cheek. “If you don’t open your eyes,” he breathed, suddenly inches from my face, “then I will be forced to kiss you.”
I wavered only for a moment, wondering what it would be like to feel his lips against mine, but the reasoning part of my mind finally broke through the haze. I opened my eyes.
Boaz leaned back, a slight frown on his face before his mouth curved into a smile. “Another time.”
I turned away to hide the burning heat in my cheeks. In the corner of the room, I locked eyes with Hunwald. “Does he go everywhere with you?”
“Absolutely. Hunwald and I are inseparable.”
At the sound of his name, Hunwald stood and walked over to Boaz, but he kept his eyes fixed on me.
“I don’t think he likes me.”
“Hunwald doesn’t like anyone.”
“That’s comforting. Does he have to be in here?”
Boaz looked at me and then at Hunwald. He pursed his lips together as if deciding. Finally he said, “He can wait outside.”
Hunwald’s bushy head jerked in Boaz’s direction as if he understood. Boaz motioned toward the door, but Hunwald stared stubbornly back. Boaz motioned again with a little more force. This time, the wolf turned and left the room, but not without casting me a dangerous look.
“Friendly dog,” I said.
“He’s not a dog, and I don’t have him because he’s friendly.”
I sighed and attempted to sit up, but a tight wrap on my arm made it difficult. They must’ve put it on me while I was unconscious. “Is this really necessary?”
“Your arm was broken. Of course it’s necessary.”
“But there’s hardly any pain,” I said, moving my arm around.
“You have your mother to thank for that. She can do the most amazing things with jasmine.”
I grimaced.
“You don’t like jasmine?” Boaz asked.
“I can’t stand it.”
“Is it because your mother loves it, or is there another reason?”
“What does it matter?” I reached up to tear the bandage off of my head, but instead, I froze. My eyes flashed to Boaz.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Is it difficult for you to be around blood?”
He smiled. “Not at all. I’ve been around long enough that my craving for blood is similar to what you might feel toward chocolate.”
“Appetizing,” I said and tried not to grimace as I unraveled the bandage. It didn’t feel near as good as my arm. “How old are you anyway?”
“Old enough to know when a person isn’t safe in their own home. That Diablo almost killed you.”
“Diablo?” I wasn’t familiar with the name.
“A Diablo is a demon who has taken over a human body. Their unnatural presence slowly kills man’s body, making them appear like a corpse. They are merciless and determined. If one’s been sent to kill you, more will follow.”
“I don’t understand. Why would they want to kill me?”
Boaz leaned back in his chair. “I have two theories. The first is someone among our kind has sent the Diablos to kill you. You’re less of a threat if you’re dead.”
This surprised me. “How am I a threat to anyone?”
“You’re the daughter of the most powerful witches to ever exist.”
“But I’m nothing like my parents.” I shuddered. The thought of demons after me was frightening enough, but being compared to my parents was even more terrifying.
“You’re right. You are nothing like them—you’re much greater.”
I shook my head to dismiss what was, in my mind, an empty compliment. “And your second theory?”
Boaz averted his eyes. “Your parents. I think they sent them.”
I shook my head slowly. “They wouldn’t.”
“Perhaps, but I must find out for sure.” He stood. “I should let you rest.”
“Not yet,” I said, wanting him to explain further. Granted, my parents were horrible, but kill me?
“Close your eyes and sleep, love. I need to speak with your father, and then I will return.”